Situated near the foot of an active volcano, Karuizawa is a popular destination for locals to escape
summer heat from the city. In addition, Karuizawa is well known for many luxury
resorts and many would visit Karuizawa during winter to Ski.
After my visit
to Karuizawa, I understand why Karuizawa is perfect for a short escape from the
city. This place is also marketed as a one-stop fuss-free getaway to its domestic
and foreign tourist. Not only one can unwind in the upscale and luxury resort, but there are also shopping street and ski resort catering to different needs. Best of
all, this place is surrounded by nature and one can feel the joy here.
Read Hokkaido Itinerary Self Drive - 10 Day 9 Night here
Getting to Karuizawa from Tokyo
Transportation
to Karuizawa from Tokyo by Train
Karuizawa is
easily accessible and can be reached by 1.5-hour train ride from Tokyo. The one-way journey from Tokyo to Karuizawa is 5500 yen. Highly recommend you to get
the JR Tokyo Wide Pass or even the JR Hokuriju Shinkasen pass if you are
planning to explore other parts of Japan.
Tokyo Wide Pass
(3 Consecutive Days / 10,180 Yen)
Hokuriku Arch
Pass (7 consecutive days / 20,440 Yen)
Japan Rail Pass
( 7 consecutive days/ 29,650 Yen)
Transportation
to Karuizawa from Tokyo by Bus
A one way 4
hour journey from Shinjuku Station to Karuizawa Station cost 2200 yen. You can
purchase the bus ticket when you are at the terminal or through Japan Bus
online here
Transportation
to Karuizawa from Narita Airport by Car
We opt for the
most flexible option travelling to Karuizawa. Driving from Narita Airport to Karuizawa
took us around 4 hours from Narita airport with a stopover at Kawagoe. If you are
planning to drive from Tokyo, it takes around 2.5 hours instead.
Read our stopover at Kawagoe here
Kyu Karuizawa/ Old Karuizawa Ginza
Street
Start your day
in Karuizawa by exploring the shops lined along the Old Karuizawa Ginza Street.
From French bakery to local products, there are many things delicacy found in
the old street. Our favourite is definitely the bakery that was visited by John
Lennon – Karuizawa French Bakery. The bread is indeed good! French-style bread
but accustomed to local sweeter taste bud.
Tip: Do avoid travelling on Thursday to Karuizawa if possible. A couple of restaurants and shops closes on Thursday! Nonetheless, there are still many things to do in Karuizawa!
Read Best Eats in Karuizawa here
Tip: Do avoid travelling on Thursday to Karuizawa if possible. A couple of restaurants and shops closes on Thursday! Nonetheless, there are still many things to do in Karuizawa!
There are many local souvenirs such as jams and snacks made by locals for
one to bring back! Do visit before 6pm as most shop closes pretty early! If you
are running out of time, you can always visit the next morning!
Church Street Karuizawa/ St. Paul’s
Catholic Church
We continue to
walk and found a church street at the end of Old Karuizawa Ginza Street. The
path from the shopping plaza leads to St Paul’s Catholic Church that was designed by renowned Czech Architect, Antonin Raymond in early 1935. The small
wooden church is quiet and we found a couple of locals there enjoying their
time there.
Kawakamian
In the evening, have your
dinner at the most popular soba restaurant in Karuizawa. Their handmade soba is
so good and best taken with tempura! We ordered a hot and cold version but find
that the cold version is tastier than the hot one. The cold soba has a more
chewy texture compare to the hot version.
Tempura was
fresh and the Ebi tempura was my favourite among all. Fresh and huge! In
addition, do try the smoked duck! We were blown away by the smoke duck probably
because the smoke duck we had in Singapore is frozen and taste pretty hard! The
one at Kawakamian taste a little
like French duck breast but not as gamey! Perfect for those who don’t like
the bloody taste from French duck breast!
Note: Do avoid peak
period because the queue can be pretty long.
Address: 6-10
Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano 389-0102, Japan
Opening Hour: Daily,
11am – 10pm
Shiraito Waterfall
Next morning
drive towards Shiraito Waterfall also known as Shiraito no Taki. Situated along
the north of downtown, Shiraito waterfall is a very unique waterfall. It is a 3m
height, 70-meter wide waterfall with a constant strength of flow throughout the
day. With multiple streams of water drape over the surface, it is gorgeous and very
calming to watch!
Onioshidashi Park
In the afternoon,
make your way to Onionshidashi Park. The park features a landscape of volcanic
rock and is shaped by the volcanic sediment during the 1783 eruption of Mount
Asama. The view of the park is breathe taking, making it a great stopover
before continuing the journey to Kusatsu, the best onsen town in Japan!
Despite the short time spent in Karuizawa, H & I love our time there! It's a nice escape from city life. Great food and amazing stay! Can't wait to share more about Kyukaruizawa Kikyo, Curio Collection by Hilton!
Do note that this is part 2 of our 7 Day 6 Night Central Japan Self Drive Itinerary. Be sure to come back for more updates in the upcoming week!
Despite the short time spent in Karuizawa, H & I love our time there! It's a nice escape from city life. Great food and amazing stay! Can't wait to share more about Kyukaruizawa Kikyo, Curio Collection by Hilton!
Do note that this is part 2 of our 7 Day 6 Night Central Japan Self Drive Itinerary. Be sure to come back for more updates in the upcoming week!
Other things to do in Karuizawa
Located on the
west of Karuizawa, Naka-Karuizawa is a secondary town centre in Karuizawa that
is located nearer to train station as the Shinano railway stop by here. Despite
few shops and restaurants, the location is nearer to nature.
Similar to Old
Karuizawa Ginza shopping street, Harunire Terrace has shops lined along the
wooden terrace. The upscale shopping street in Karuiza is surrounded by forest,
making it a beautiful place to relax.
Uchimura Kanzo
Memorial Stone Church has a very unique and beautiful design. It also
reflects the fusion between art and religion. The church was built to commemorate the
leader Uchimura Kanzo. With different layer seen in the charge, it was designed to fit with the slope of the land and its surrounding. Definitely a gem in
Karuizawa
Fan of Hiroshi
Senjyu will love to visit the Hiroshi Senju Museum. With several masterpieces of
Hiroshi Senjyu and stunning architectural design, one can expect to spend a couple
of hours here. Find out more about the museum and its exhibition here
Read Best Eats in Karuizawa here
Read Best Eats in Karuizawa here
Central Japan Self drive itinerary
Read Kurobe Itinerary - Kurobe Gorge Railway (part 4)
Read Takayama Itinerary & Things to do in Takayama here (Part5)
Read Takayama Itinerary & Things to do in Takayama here (Part5)
Other Japan Travel Itinerary
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